Telegram-herald., 1887-04-17

"Well." said he, that question involves
q good deal; the bill has not been sufficient
ly tested, perhaps, for one to come to a
settled determination in regard TO it."
mo subject is exciting much comment
at present. and the TELEGRAM-HER
would like your views upon it,"
'I know the people of Michigan are deep
ly interested in it, particularly in the Fifth
Congressional district and in the city OF
Grand Rapids"
do you think the act is constitutional
al would hardly like TO express an
opinion upon that; /, perhaps, am not
enough of a constitutional lawyer to pass
upon so grave question. But aside from
that, doubt the wisdom of vesting body
of men with such plenary powers as Congress
has given TO the Interstate Commerce
Commissioners. The act imposes heavy
penalties for its violation; and then allows
the Commissioners 10 suspend certain of its
provisions whenever they may see 1T. 1t
is, in fact. allowing the Commission to
legislate. For Congress to delegate such an
authority to them is, believe, contrary 10
the spirit of our institutions, and opposed to
our form of government. The question of
transportation is a vital one; 1t is interviewer
with all our commercial affairs to such an
extent. that any violent interference with it
disturbs commerce to an alarming degree.
/ do not believe any five men
can be chosen in the United
States, who can impartially and fairly
administer the law. il they undertake 20
prescribe the exten: TO which common car
riers may be relievei from the provisions of
section four (the long and short haul
clause)."
What do you think of the bill, gener-
ally 2"
There are many good provisions in ii.
TIE clause prohibiting common carriers
from discriminating against any particular
firm or individual Is good ole. In other
words, shippers who forward like commo-
di,ies in ike quantities. TO the same place,
ought to receive the same rate"
How About the long and short haul
clause ?"
Ave. there's the rub. If il were not for
that this mighty protest which IS coming
from all parts of the country would nos be
heard. IL follows. of necessity. that freight
rates under free competition, will be less
between large cities, where there exists
numerous competing lines or for long
hsuls. than between small towns, or for
short hauls. In other words, a common
carrier csn afford 10 haul n car load Of
freight one thousand miles az less rate, in
proportion. than il can TO haul il twenty
miles. Take cur city here; there
il but very small proportion
OF the product manufactured consumed
here. Our manufactures depend upon the
demand from other States. We are situated.
Of course. far from the market 5u' NJ reason
Of large business and shipping long ways
without breaking bulk. our manufactures
kfrs7e rt.r - -
OF freight. eTs.bling them 70 compsts with
ali corners. lake the Pacific cosst trade
fer instance. The railroad companies have
taken lot OF cities within two or three
hundred miles Of esch other, Clncinnsfi
South Bend. Grand Rapids, Indianapolis.
Chicago. louisville. etc AID have given
them all the sarae rate to San Frs3cisco
Under that basis our furniture u4n have
had y very large trade vish Csiiios ais. I.
but under Section 81 the aes they
must isss II ~ al. even1nsli~. Bat section
: Is contrary. IA my in8enant. 70 re-
coznized husiness princ pies. when vou
cos,e 20 spplv = - infer Stste C0mnrsres =
How do sou think The enforcement Of
the sct Vii alec Grand Rapids
4 think the eject u The enforcement of
secron here. II r cantinues IS i -
began. vii - % oer0orslze Cur rrs.ness.
and s~entosiiy resnlt ia The decz5snce u
or prosperity. How can 4 he otbere ise
As I remarked befc-s. eornpsraf rely an
iasi <nf scrnf prior q cpY Erc3Gcsi91s are
consumed hers. We 6epsni upsn os1er
sfafes lergey. - css-11s ear rro~
a4s-s The resat q tie c1tsnDsd
ensoFcsnsnt of tae isne xni ~ ha1I
eiAess secsior wii - . drive manr q
c1r isopsrf art i1S1stries - sFaer feiEs
have nst the kinae - - over i RI 81 tsak
- re- eise Fcu 10 q se~ Isst21ces I4ks
ear f1T1ifG5e bEsiress. x - prafsa sfe
rr arrest iraestFg sc hare J ihi1k I xpesk
ela noar13s wh<n saT thst one erssftsr
81 otx eDt5re por8 .&tion srs s8zszel n. or
dersadfnt apon. the ra4z ssrsnre 81 fsral-
fars. There = no assstlsa bnt tAst 1850